*He got it! Yep, R&B icon and singer Charlie Wilson, is now the latest recipient of a prestigious star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Wilson, of course, is also known as the Grammy-nominated co-founder and lead singer of the Gap Band, as well as an outspoken activist who urges Black men to be tested for prostate cancer.
Under sunny skies and mellow SoCal weather, the ceremony, on Hollywood Blvd and MC’d by music producer/artist Jimmy Jam Harris, fell on the same day as Wilson’s 71st.
“It’s truly an honor to stand before you as I accept this prestigious star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame,” Wilson said during the ceremony. “This recognition holds a very special place in my heart as it symbolizes a journey that started many, many years ago.”
On hand to give “Uncle Charlie” his props were Wilson’s manager and president/CEO of P Music Group Michael Paran, Grammy winner Babyface, and Wilson collaborators Kanye West and Snoop Dogg.
A native of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Wilson and his brothers – Robert and Ronnie – often performed at their father’s church and later joined forces to create the Gap Band.
The band’s first album was in 1974. Some of their best-known hits included the raucous and funky “You Dropped a Bomb on Me,” “Oops Upside Your Head,” “Burn Rubber” and Early in The Morning.”
The Gap Band eventually released 15 albums before the end came in 2010. But in 2000 Charlie Wilson had already launched a solo career, starting with his first album “Bridging the Gap.”
Even with the success of the Gap Band, Wilson became addicted to drugs and alcohol and found himself living on the streets of Hollywood in the mid-1990s.
“It was during those challenging times that I realized that God had a plan for me. He broke me down to build me up again, and I am forever grateful for that experience,” Wilson said.
It was during his stint in rehab that Wilson met Mahin Tat, a social worker. Apparently, meeting her was just what he needed. They married in 1995.
“She played a pivotal role in turning my life around. Today, I stand before you as a man who has been sober for 29 years. … I owe it all to her unwavering support and love,” Wilson said.
As we noted earlier, the legendary singer has shared the mic on recording projects with lots of other iconic performers. In 2010 he did a collabo with Kanye West on his album “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.” That led Wilson to work with Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross, Rihanna, and Common, among others.
At the beginning of this article, we mentioned Charlie Wilson’s activism regarding prostate cancer. For him, it’s personal, as he was diagnosed in 2008. However, because of early detection and treatment, he’s been free of the disease for 16 years.
Wilson was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2008, but thanks to early detection and treatment, he has been cancer-free for 16 years. Since then he’s made it his mission to also His experiences prompted him to encourage Black men to get tested to increase the chances of early detection. He’s also partnered with the Prostate Cancer Foundation, and regularly takes part in Stand Up 2 Cancer fundraising telethons.
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